Question 14 – What is the message of Jesus?  

Por Educate Magis
Jul 12th, 2020

Continuing with the exploration and reflection through a series of articles written in a conversational language about Catholicism, about God, about Jesus, about the Church and many other faith related topics. Here we present:

Question 14 – What is the message of Jesus?  

Jesus* has a joyful message of prosperity, hope and happiness. In a single word, his message is called ‘Gospel’*. That literally means ‘Good News’. You can find that message in the four Gospels, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each of them, in their own way, tells the story of Jesus.

The content of that message is that God* wants to offer everyone the opportunity to live in freedom*, peace, justice and love. That message has everything to do with the person of Jesus himself. Jesus is like the door that gives access to full communion with God. From the beginning of his action, Jesus calls upon people to believe in this Good News. The life of Jesus is the start of the definitive realisation of that bond between God and humanity. No other person than Jesus has ever claimed this about himself: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ (Jn 14:6).

The Good News of Jesus is not a task that you carry out alone. No one is capable of that. Rather, it is the promise that God is fully committed to this. Jesus asks the people to cooperate.

The Gospel is never fully realised on earth. That will only happen in life after death. The more a person already cooperates with this, the more he or she can participate in this perfect joy in heaven*.

The message of Jesus is addressed to all people, without distinction. It is addressed particularly to the excluded and the poor. Jesus says about them that they are the first to have access to this full communion with God. Just like small children who can easily entrust themselves entirely to the care and love of their parents.

– What about the message of Jesus appeals most to you?
– Are there aspects of the Gospel that are difficult for you to deal with?

Feel free to leave your thoughts, reflections or comments below.


Watch this space! Coming up: Question 15 – Is Jesus God or human?   
 

Follow these links to go back to Question 1 – Is believing exceptional? , Question 2 – Is Faith for simple souls? , Question 3 – Can you be a Christian and yet doubt your faith? , Question 4 – Can a believer be critical? , Question 5 – Can faith and science get along? , Question 6 – Are you born a Christian?Question 7 – Can a human being meet God?, Question 8 – Did God create the world in seven days?, Question 9 – What did God do before he created the world?, Question 10 – Is God a man or a woman? , Question 11 – Can you be a Christian without believing in Jesus?, Question 12 – Did Jesus really exist?, and Question 13 – What is the importance of the hidden life of Jesus?

If you wish to learn more about this resource follow this link  “52 Questions and Answers about faith

 

About the author:

Nikolaas Sintobin, SJ, joined the Society of Jesus in 1989, following a short career as a lawyer. He was trained as a Jesuit in Brussels, Paris, and Santiago de Chile. Today he is a spiritual director who is keenly interested in online ministry and discovering new ways to help people find God.

This text is republished with the permission of Messenger Publications, Ireland. To buy a hard copy of the book click here.